It’s time for part two! Part two covers… *drumroll please*
Wedding Ceremony Traditions
“In Germany, the preferred month for marriage is May.”
Woops. No go on that one.
“The bride should carry salt and bread as an omen for good harvest, and the groom should carry grain for good luck and wealth.”
I’m not sure where I’d hide bread in my wedding dress, but I’ll try. It’s starting to sound like some of these German traditions are trying to turn me into a snack bar for JP. I would have gone with whipped cream, but bread’s good too I guess.
“Have the groom kneel on the bride’s dress during the wedding ceremony to let everyone know that he’s the boss. Of course, the bride usually steps lightly on the groom’s shoe once they stand up to declare that was just wishful thinking on the groom’s part.”
I’m not sure if we’re having any kneeling in our wedding ceremony, but if we do, this sounds pretty hilarious. Though, it almost sounds like something we’d do without knowing this. I’d probably get overly excited and stomp on P’s foot. That’d be bad.
Also, I could see him kneeling on it, me standing, and dress ripping. I’d die. Right there. One partial wedding, one full funeral.
“Decorate exit doorways with garlands of flowers, greenery, and ribbons. Block the actual exits with a large ribbon. After the ceremony, the groom must ‘ransom’ the couple out of the facility by promising everyone money or a party.”
This is another tradition that unfortunately I don’t think people would get over hurr. Though it would be pretty awesome to go all renegade and break through the ribbon barrier.
I’m not sure if that’s the point though. And besides, they’s getting a party. It’s called “the reception.”
“The bride carries lengths of white ribbon with her bouquet, and after the church ceremony is over and the guests are leaving the church, she hands each driver a ribbon that they tie to the radio antenna.”
Sounds pretty awesome, but I wonder how in the world I’d be able to hold enough ribbons to hand out to each driver. Or how I’d even make sure to get all drivers. “You there! Stop! I didn’t give you a ribbon! Wait, I can’t chase you down because I’m too weighed down by the 4,000 ribbons I’m carrying!”
Ok, maybe a little overly dramatic, but that was what I pictured in my head. Perhaps a way to incorporate this into our wedding would just be to have the ribbons somehow attached to the programs? Or a basket of ribbons? Somehow, ribbons (somewhere) and a sign with directions as to what to do with said ribbons.
Though, do people even have antennas anymore?
“When the bride and groom leave the church, guests throw rice at them. Tradition states that the couple will have as many children as rice grains stay in the bride’s hair.”
Awesome. This would kill birds and my lady-parts all in one swoop. Two birds with one stone, no? I’m pretty sure we’ll have something thrown at us, but it won’t be rice and it won’t signify the number of children that I’ll pop out.
Unless only three things stick to me. That’s my max.
“Another old Bavarian tradition occurs right after the church ceremony. When the couple exits the church, there is a log on a sawhorse and the couple has to cut the log in half. This is to symbolize the first tough tasks of their future they can accomplish together.”
I think this one would be totally awesome, but somehow I bet I’ll get vetoed on it. Possible dress ruining and all that jazz. Plus sweating my makeup off. Still, I think this one would be hilarious and pretty amazing. I’m still going to keep this in the realm of possibilities!
“As the couple walks to the wedding car, fir boughs are laid along the path to pave their first newlywed steps with fresh greenery to symbolize hope, luck, and fertility.”
Aww, this one is sweet. Melikes. Another option for the “Let’s do it!” category.
“After the wedding ceremony, a car procession is formed and drives through town honking their horns. Others honk back wishing the couple good luck.”
Ok, I can dig this. Could go hand-in-hand with the ribbon thing, that is if people still have antennas. (I’m harping, I know). Though I think other drivers just might take this as crazy. Is a massive honking fest even legal in the states?
My fiance, oder “Velobter” auf Deutsch, is German. He was born and raised outside of Frankfurt. Since we are trying to incorporate as much of “us” into the wedding as possible, it only seems natural that we would try to smush in as much German tradition as possible, right?
